Effect of Salicylic Acid on the Physiological Quality of Salt-Stressed Cucumis melo Seeds
Jackson Silva Nóbrega
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
Francisco Romário Andrade Figueiredo
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
Leonardo Vieira de Sousa
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
João Everthon da Silva Ribeiro
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
Toshik Iarley da Silva *
Department of Plant Science, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Thiago Jardelino Dias
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
Manoel Bandeira de Albuquerque
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
Riselane de Lucena Alcântara Bruno
Department of Plant Science and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds of two melon varieties (Cucumis melo) in response to saline stress and salicylic acid treatment.
Study Design: The experimental design was a completely randomized design with five different water salinities and five doses of salicylic acid, with four replicates of 50 seeds.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Seed Analysis, located in the Center of Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba, Areia-PB, Brazil.
Methodology: The experiment was conducted with two varieties of melon (Cantalupensis and Eldorado 300). Creole melon seeds (cucumber melon - Cantalupensis) were extracted from completely mature fruits produced in a farmland located in Santa Luzia, PB, Brazil. The Eldorado 300 seeds were purchased in the local market of Areia, PB, Brazil. A completely randomized experimental design was used with five water salinities (ECw = 0.0, 1.74, 6.0, 10.26 and 12.0 dS m-1) and five salicylic acid doses (SA = 0.0, 0.29, 1.0, 1.71 and 2.0 mM), with four replicates of 50 seeds. The following variables were evaluated: percentage of germination, first germination count, percentage of abnormal seedlings, germination speed index, mean germination time, seedlings dry mass and the root, shoot and seedling length.
Results: Salicylic acid treatment was not effective in attenuating the harmful effects of saline stress on seed germination. Cantalupensis cultivar is more tolerant than the Eldorado 300 cultivar.
Conclusion: Saline stress has a negative effect on the germination and vigor of melon seeds. Salicylic acid was not effective in attenuate the deleterious effects promoted by water salinity.
Keywords: Melon, mitigation, salinity, seed vigor